My recent thoughts on financial freedom extended to interesting TFP reader discussion here, which in turn provoked more thoughts of my own that I would like to share now...
When speaking of freedom I believe it is important to distinguish, as 20th century philosopher Erich Fromm did, between two forms of freedom: Freedom From and Freedom To:
There is only one possible, productive solution for the relationship of individualized man with the world: his active solidarity with all men and his spontaneous activity, love and work, which unite him again with the world, not by primary ties but as a free and independent individual.... However, if the economic, social and political conditions... do not offer a basis for the realization of individuality in the sense just mentioned, while at the same time people have lost those ties which gave them security, this lag makes freedom an unbearable burden. It then becomes identical with doubt, with a kind of life which lacks meaning and direction. Powerful tendencies arise to escape from this kind of freedom into submission or some kind of relationship to man and the world which promises relief from uncertainty, even if it deprives the individual of his freedom. ~ Erich Fromm
Freedom From: This, according to Fromm, is negative freedom and it is based in fear because it is sought as relief from uncertainty or from restrictions placed on the individual by society (other people) and/or institutions (e.g. government, financial creditors). The pursuit of freedom from can paradoxically reduce or remove one's freedom.
For our purposes here, specifically with regard to the idea of financial freedom, one must be careful not to seek money only as a means to "buy freedom" from something, such as work, from society, from debt or from whatever it is one wishes to escape, unless this freedom from is attached to (or followed by) a freedom to something...
Freedom To: This is the healthy form of freedom because it is the form where the individual obtains the capacity to be creative, to act as the authentic self. When one obtains the means to be authentic, they are enabled to reach the highest form of productivity because their actions are purposeful and meaningful; thus the actions are self-feeding and self-radiating; therefore, the individual is happy by virtue of doing -- they are free because they are acting as the authentic self, not because of a certain or pre-defined amount of financial capacity.
Where many people are mistaken, in my humble opinion, is that freedom to can only be obtained after freedom from. This is the primary reason why I don't like the conventional idea of financial freedom; because many people are led to the mistaken belief that money buys freedom; that one can only be free, to act as the authentic self, once a certain financial objective has been met.
Furthermore, there is never truly freedom from money because money is required as a means of exchange for the things that meet your physiological needs; you will always have some need for money as a tool.
"Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom." ~ Viktor Frankl
Freedom from, therefore, is a choice; and where my ideas of freedom depart slightly from Erich Fromm's is that social, political, and economic entities are not conditions absolutely necessary for freedom. Society, governments and institutions will always have their objectives that are somewhat restrictive to the individual; some more restrictive than others. Choice, however, remains the primary means of freedom.
If one believes that freedom is essentially the capacity to act as the authentic self, it is therefore in one's best interest to seek and find (and act as) the authentic self; and not necessarily seek to acquire a large sum of money or to seek the help of society to create the freedom.
You must first ask "What is the purpose of my life?" before asking "What is the purpose of my money?" Once the first question is answered, you have thus answered the second. Making your money a tool for life, and not making your life a tool for money, is a choice.
In summary, and most importantly, by placing meaning before money and purpose before planning, your freedom becomes freedom to rather than freedom from.
Are there any more thoughts on freedom you would like to share? Are there social, political and economic conditions necessary for one to be free? What is freedom? Additionally, are people (or you) afraid of freedom? Can the pursuit of freedom paradoxically limit one's freedom?
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Related:
On Defining Financial FreedomDeconstruction of Social Conventions & the 'Unlearning Process'
Very difficult question.
Anyway, I agree with that diferentiation and I like the concept of meaning before anything else, at least for me is important.
Now, answering your question:
Probably, for me freedom is not be slave of the propaganda or the hiden agenda of anyone, like the goverment, a company or a political party or a conspiracionist group. I know it´s difficult to abstract oneself from "the world", but is a great goal. It´s mental freedom. Freedom for choose your own ideas, your own fears and your own motivations. Freedom to liberate yourself from the business cycle. Freedom to not be obligated to choose between Burguer King and McDonalds, Pepsi and Coke, Democrats or Republicans. Freedom to not be obligated by my goverment to go to an offensive war and risk my life for a few big asses. Freedom of the burocracy....as you see, my concept of freedom have no end. And my actitude if before my financial freedom (in fact im poor like a rat). Skepticism is freedom. Money helps me to maitain myself skeptic cause I have not "lord".
But that was "freedom"..."financial freedom" only means one thing: money.
Thanks again (and sorry for my horrible english)
Posted by: Thanks | August 04, 2010 at 08:34 PM
where I wrote "my actitude if before" of course is "my actitude is before".
Posted by: Thanks | August 04, 2010 at 08:54 PM
Wonderful topic.
As Frankl said- that space between stimulus and response-rang my bell.
My difficulties are the distractions I place in my path that become self generateing obstacles placed there only by me. Perhaps learning that space more intimately may free me a few obstacles.
Thanks for the
Posted by: Joel | August 05, 2010 at 11:10 AM
Kent,
You must first ask "What is the purpose of my life?"
Generally speaking, I think most people inherently struggle with finding an answer to that question. It's much easier to take the path of least resistance and trap yourself into thinking you need to make 'X' amount of dollars before you're free. Of course that 'X' amount of dollars variable can increase as desires increase. It's far easier to trick yourself into thinking you need a bigger house or nicer car than it is to answer that difficult first question. People gravitate towards the path of least resistance.
The fear of not having authentic meaning is often masked by a phony fear of not having enough money. Again, it's the 'I'll follow my dreams after I make 'X' amount of dollars' argument. It's much easier to think you're limited by something like money than it is to actually figure out what those dreams are. Ultimately, this creates a very real fear of freedom that I think many people have.
Cheers,
Greg
Posted by: GregLinster | August 05, 2010 at 12:40 PM
@ Thanks: I appreciate your thoughts, which by the way, are expressed better than some writings I've seen from people who have greater skills writing in English.
@ Joel: Yes, the Frankl quote strikes me as well; especially considering he was both a psychotherapist AND a Jewish concentration camp survivor.
@ Greg: I agree. An answer to the question, "What is the purpose of my life?" does not come with ease. I will say, however, that asking the question, followed by an honest and complete attempt to answer it, will bring up other questions that inquire into one's Being.
Philosophic inquiry is reflective and introspective; it inspires a dialogue with oneself that hopefully continues throughout life. Questions do not always need to be answered; they simply need to be asked...
With that said, you are also right that most people find it easier to avoid introspection and seek things outside...
"Every one rushes elsewhere and into the future, because no one wants to face one's own inner self." ~ Michel de Montaigne
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Posted by: supra shoes | March 24, 2011 at 03:37 AM
Wow! what a philosofical site! But it is all true. The thing I have found in my persuit of freedom, is learning. And my thirst for knowledge has helped me over the years, anything I dont know and could and would probably need - I go and learn it. As quickly as I can.
This I find can open a massive amount of avenues to place you in areas of life of freedom. I hope this makes sense. But it has been my key and I have never been without due to this perspective. I know an awful lot, yet I also know that there is still a long long way to go and will never know it al, There are some things I dont want to know and learn, therefore demonstrating my freedom of choice. What can be the biggest obsticle to achiving this, is siting on the fence and procrastinating. Therefore, you have the Freedom to kick your self up the backside and get on with it....if you wish :)
Like it and thanks for sharing. :)
Posted by: Reub | July 23, 2011 at 04:51 AM
To add further. One can find a paradox with the above comment.
Where the question has to be asked, "can too much knowledge be a bad thing?"
As an after thought to my previous comment I am also aware that sometimes having too much knowledge can conflict with having freedom. Every one wants a piece of you.
To combat this, one has to pretend or act dumb, just to get some quite and freedom. Strange isnt it? :)
Posted by: Reubs | November 04, 2011 at 12:54 AM